Death sentences upheld for Vinalines officials

The appeal court yesterday upheld death sentences for the former chairman of Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), Duong Chi Dung, and the company's former general director, Mai Van Phuc. — VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan

HA NOI (VNS) — The appeal court yesterday upheld death sentences for the former chairman of Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), Duong Chi Dung, and the company's former general director, Mai Van Phuc.

The court also rejected the appeals of Tran Huu Chieu, former vice-general director of Vinalines, and Tran Hai Son, director of Vinalines Ship Repair Co. Ltd, who were sentenced to 19 years and 22 years, respectively, on similar charges.

At the same time, the court retained the sentences of seven years for Mai Van Khang, a member of the Vinalines project management board, and Le Van Duong, a former official at the Viet Nam Registry.

It accepted appeals lodged by Huynh Huu Duc, Le Ngoc Trien and Le Van Lung, former officials at Van Phong Customs Office in the central province of Khanh Hoa and reduced their sentences from eight to six years.

Regarding civil liability, the original verdict for Dung, Phuc, Son and Chieu was upheld, under which the four were ordered to pay back more than VND28 billion (US$1.33 million) they had embezzled as well as joining other defendants in paying nearly VND326 billion ($15.5 million) in total for the damage they had caused for Vinalines.

Before giving out the ruling, the jury said that the accused intentionally violated State regulations on investment, bidding and customs procedures through the purchase and repair of Floating Dock 83M, causing serious damage to the State budget.

Those violations were said to have been aimed at appropriating $1.666 million by buying the floating dock from the Singapore-based AP company.

The jury made its decisions after considering documents provided by lawyers, the testimonies of the accused and presentations by others at the trial, which began on April 24. — VNS